Centrifugal Pump and Series of Centrifugal Pumps

Abstract

A centrifugal pump having a pump housing, a bearing support assembly connected to the pump housing, a housing cover between the pump housing and the bearing support assembly, a rotationally drivable shaft supported in the bearing support assembly. The shaft extends into the pump housing through the bearing support assembly and the housing cover, coaxially to an axis of rotation. The pump further includes an impeller arranged in the pump housing and fastened to the shaft. At least two of the pump housing, housing cover, bearing support assembly, drivable shaft and impeller are configured in conformance with at least two standards, such that interface areas that are not defined by the standards between pairs of the pump components are geometrically identical. The invention further relates to a series of centrifugal pumps using such a centrifugal pump.

Description

[0001] This application is a National Stage of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2013/0523374, filed Feb. 7, 2013, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from German Patent Application No. 10 10 2012 002 325.1, filed Feb. 8, 2012, and German Patent Application No. 10 2013 201 902.5, filed Feb. 6, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a centrifugal pump, in which at least one pump casing, a bearing support assembly connected directly or indirectly to the pump casing, a casing cover arranged between the pump casing and the bearing support assembly, a rotationally drivable shaft which is supported in the bearing support assembly and which extends into the pump casing through the bearing support assembly and casing cover coaxially with respect to an axis of rotation, and an impeller arranged in the pump casing and fastened on the shaft are provided as components. The invention also relates to a series of centrifugal pumps using such a centrifugal pump.

[0003] Centrifugal pumps per se are widespread and are used in many sectors to convey fluids.

[0004] German patent publication no. DE 23 27 262 A discloses an apparatus in order to provide selectively fixedly and detachably coupled centrifugal pumps composed of exchangeable building block parts which have a plurality of different exchangeable casings with in each case an identical rear opening. The apparatus furthermore comprises a plurality of different exchangeable impellers, each of which can be accommodated in each of the casings, a plurality of different exchangeable drive shafts, each of which can be accommodated in each of the casings and can be effectively connected therein to each of the impellers, a plurality of different exchangeable connecting pieces, each of which has an identical connecting means at one end in order to enable that each given connecting piece can be connected to the rear end of each of the casings. The apparatus furthermore comprises different exchangeable drive means, each of which can be connected to each of the connecting pieces and each of the pump drive shafts for driving the pump, and different exchangeable seals which with a selected connecting piece serve to seal the rear opening of the selected casing, wherein at least one connecting piece and an assigned seal can be connected between a selected casing and a selected drive in order to form the desired fixedly coupled centrifugal pump, and wherein at least one other connecting piece and an assigned seal, instead of the first stated connecting piece and the assigned seal, can optionally and alternately be connected for attachment between a selected casing and a selected drive in order to form a detachably coupled centrifugal pump.

[0005] Different standards apply depending on the sectors of industry in which the pumps are operated. The international water standard EN 733 and chemical standard ISO 2858 should be mentioned here by way of example. Since these standards provide among other things different geometries for certain components, in each case separate forms of the pumps have been produced over time for the different applications. This leads to a large variety of components with the associated disadvantages and thus ultimately to higher manufacturing costs.

[0006] The object of the invention lies in further reducing the number of different components required for the manufacture of centrifugal pumps which correspond in particular to a standard.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention in that at least two of the components are defined at least in two standards, wherein interface areas, which are not taken into account in the standards, of a plurality of the components that are defined in the standards and are of the same type are geometrically identical.

[0008] This harmonization of the interface areas at or between the components satisfies the requirement of reducing complexity and offers good cost-reduction potential.

[0009] Due to the fact that the interface areas of a plurality of the components that are defined in the at least two standards and are of the same type, for example, the different pump casings of a series, are geometrically identical, wherein the interface areas are not taken into account by the standards, the individual series can be manufactured across standards with fewer stocked components, namely, pump casing, casing cover, bearing support assembly, shaft, impeller.

[0010] According to one configuration according to the invention, the interface area formed by pump casing and casing cover on contacting surfaces is geometrically identical.

[0011] A further reduction in the number of different components can be achieved in that the interface area formed by impeller and pump casing on their interacting surfaces is geometrically identical.

[0012] The number of the plurality of components of the same type can be further reduced if the interface area formed by impeller and casing cover on their interacting surfaces is geometrically identical.

[0013] The fact that the interface area formed by bearing support and casing cover on their interacting surfaces is geometrically identical further reduces the plurality of components of the same type by a multiple.

[0014] A reduction of the components of the same type is also arrived at if the interface area formed by impeller and shaft on their contacting surfaces is geometrically identical.

[0015] The object of the invention is also achieved by a series of centrifugal pumps using a centrifugal pump described above. As a result, a series of centrifugal pumps is created which provides a plurality of centrifugal pumps of various sizes, of various materials and/or various applications with a small number of different components to be stocked.

[0016] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a centrifugal pump with a casing cover clamped between the casing and a bearing support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a centrifugal pump with a casing cover screwed onto a casing in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a centrifugal pump for a fluid-conducting system, wherein the centrifugal pump has a pump casing 1 with an intake opening 2 and an outlet opening 3. On the side of pump casing 1 opposite intake opening 2, pump casing 1 has a ring- or cylinder-like opening 4 which can be sealed in a fluid impervious manner by a casing cover 5. Casing cover 5 adjoins a bearing surface 6 at opening 4 of pump casing 1. A projection 7 is formed on bearing surface 6, which shoulder 7 partially surrounds casing cover 5 and fixes it in the radial direction. Pump casing 1 and casing cover 4 form on their contacting surfaces a geometrically identical interface area 8.

[0020] A bearing support assembly 10 is fastened directly on pump casing 1 or is connected thereto by screws 9 and clamps casing cover 5 in such a manner that it sits axially and radially undisplaceably between pump casing 1 and bearing support assembly 10. Where necessary, for example if the bearing support should be thermally uncoupled from pump casing 1 or from casing cover 5, bearing support assembly 10 can additionally have a component, not shown in FIG. 1, in particular a component referred to in technical language as a lantern. Casing cover 5 and bearing support assembly 10 form on their contacting surfaces an interface area 11 which is geometrically identical.

[0021] Two bearings 12, which rotatably accommodate a shaft 13 which extends coaxially with respect to an axis of rotation A through bearing support assembly 10 and casing cover 5 into pump casing 1, are arranged in bearing support assembly 10. A hub 15 of an impeller 16 is placed on a first shaft end 14, which projects into pump casing 1, of shaft 13 and is fastened securely on shaft 13 with a nut 17. As an alternative to nut 17, a screw or a different fastening means can also be used to fix impeller 16 to shaft 13. Shaft 13 and impeller 16, in particular hub 15 of impeller 16, form on their contacting surfaces a geometrically identical interface area 18.

[0022] A motor, which drives shaft 13 in a rotary manner about axis of rotation A, is connected to a second shaft end 19, which is opposite first shaft end 14, of shaft 13.

[0023] In the area of intake opening 2 in the interior of pump casing 1, a split ring 20 is connected by means of interference fit to pump casing 1. Split ring 20 and impeller 13 are spaced apart from one another so that a gap is formed between split ring 20 and impeller 16. Pump casing 1, in particular split ring 20 of pump casing 1, and impeller 16 form on their interacting surfaces which form a sealing gap a geometrically identical interface area 21. As an alternative to this, split ring 20 can also be integrated into pump casing 1. Split ring 20 can furthermore be fastened as a race on impeller 16 and integrated into impeller 16.

[0024] Casing cover 5 has an annular portion 22 which projects into the interior of pump casing 1 and is formed coaxially with respect to axis of rotation A, on the free end of which annular portion 22 a further split ring 23 is arranged on the circumferential side, which further split ring 23 is preferably also connected to casing cover 5 by means of interference fit. An annular portion 24 provided on impeller 16 at least partially surrounds annular portion 22, in particular split ring 23, of casing cover 5, wherein split ring 23 and impeller 13 are spaced apart from one another so that a gap is formed between split ring 23 and impeller 13. Casing cover 5, in particular split ring 23 of casing cover 1, and impeller 13 form on their interacting, almost contacting surfaces an interface area 25 which is geometrically identical. As an alternative to this, split ring 23 can also be integrated into casing cover 5. It is furthermore possible that split ring 23, like split ring 20, is arranged or formed as a race on impeller 16.

[0025] In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, casing cover 5 which seals opening 4 of pump casing 1 is screwed onto pump casing 1. As a result, it is possible to connect pump casing 1 shown in FIG. 1 to a smaller bearing support assembly 10, in particular with a reduced diameter, or vice versa, bearing support assembly 10 to a larger pump casing 1. The connection of bearing support assembly 10 to pump casing 1 is carried out via casing cover 5, i.e. indirectly. Pump casing 1 and casing cover 5 form on their contacting surfaces interface area 8.

[0026] Casing cover 5 in turn has one or more devices, in particular threaded holes 26, into which screws 27 can be rotated with which bearing support assembly 10 is screwed onto casing cover 5. Other fastening means, for example, threaded bolts, are screwed onto nuts, are also conceivable. Bearing support assembly 10 and casing cover 4 form interface area 11 on their contacting surfaces.

[0027] Due to the fact that interface areas 8, 11, 18, 21, 25 of a plurality of the components defined in the at least two standards of an identical type, for example, different pump casings 1 of a series, are geometrically identical, wherein interface areas 8, 11, 18, 21, 25 are not taken into account by the standards, the individual series can be manufactured with fewer stocked components, namely pump casing 1, casing cover 5, bearing support assembly 10, shaft 13, impeller 16.

[0028] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0029] 1 Pump casing

[0030] 2 Intake opening

[0031] 3 Outlet opening

[0032] 4 Opening

[0033] 5 Casing cover

[0034] 6 Bearing surface

[0035] 7 Projection

[0036] 8 Interface area

[0037] 9 Screw

[0038] 10 Bearing support assembly

[0039] 11 Interface area

[0040] 12 Bearing

[0041] 13 Shaft

[0042] 14 First shaft end

[0043] 15 Hub

[0044] 16 Impeller

[0045] 17 Nut

[0046] 18 Interface area

[0047] 19 Second shaft end

[0048] 20 Split ring

[0049] 21 Interface area

[0050] 22 Annular portion

[0051] 23 Split ring

[0052] 24 Annular portion

[0053] 25 Interface area

[0054] 26 Threaded holes

[0055] 27 Screw

[0056] A Axis of rotation

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7. A centrifugal pump, comprising: a pump casing, a bearing support assembly connected directly or indirectly to the pump casing, a casing cover arranged between the pump casing and the bearing support assembly, a rotationally drivable shaft configured to be supported in the bearing support assembly and extend into the pump casing through the bearing support assembly and casing cover coaxially with respect to an axis of rotation of the shaft, and an impeller arranged in the pump casing and fastened on the shaft, wherein at least two of the components of the pump casing, bearing support assembly, casing cover, rotationally drivable shaft and impeller are shaped in a manner that conforms to component geometry requirements of at least one industry standard, and between-component interface areas of the at least two components which are not required by the at least one industry standard to be shaped in accordance with the component geometry requirements are shaped to interface with geometrically identical between-component interface areas of corresponding pump components shaped in a manner to conform to component geometry requirements of another industry standard.

8. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein the between-component interface areas of the pump casing and the casing cover have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

9. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein the between-component interface areas of the pump casing and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

10. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein the between-component interface areas of the casing cover and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

11. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 8, wherein the between-component interface areas of the pump casing and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

12. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 8, wherein the between-component interface areas of the casing cover and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

13. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 9, wherein the between-component interface areas of the casing cover and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

14. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 8, wherein the between-component interface areas of the pump casing and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary, and the between-component interface areas of the casing cover and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

15. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein the between-component interface areas of the casing cover and the bearing support assembly have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

16. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein the between-component interface areas of the casing cover and the bearing support assembly have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

17. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 7, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

18. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 8, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

19. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 9, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

20. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 10, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

21. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 11, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

22. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 12, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

23. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 13, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

24. The centrifugal pump as claimed in claim 14, wherein the between-component interface areas of the shaft and the impeller have contacting surfaces that are geometrically complementary.

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